Bihar Boils Over NEET Paper Leak: Katihar, Darbhanga, Begusarai, Munger Among Major Cities See Stone Pelting, Lathicharges

Jagran Bureau, Patna: The spark of protests that erupted in Delhi against the NEET paper leak has now reached several districts in Bihar. Students demonstrated in Patna, Darbhanga, Begusarai, Katihar, Munger, Jehanabad, and Purnia, among other places, demanding transparency in the education system and action against the culprits.

While some protests remained peaceful, others resulted in stone-pelting, lathi-charges, and chaos. In view of the growing protests, police and administrations have tightened security in several districts.

Patna: 21 FIRs registered, 45 arrested including student union president

Following the protest by students in front of Patna University over the NEET paper leak and demanding the resignation of the Union Education Minister, the police have registered 21 cases in four police stations.

PUSU President Shantanu Shekhar and 45 others were arrested. Protesters were marching towards the Assembly from Ashoka Road when they were stopped by police. As the situation escalated, a lathi charge was resorted to, resulting in injuries to several students.

Students also staged a sit-in at Science College. Due to the tension, some shops on Ashoka Road were closed, and a heavy police presence remained until late in the evening.

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Darbhanga: Stones pelted for four hours, SP and other policemen injured

Students protesting against the NEET paper leak at Lohia Chowk in Darbhanga suddenly turned violent. A section of the crowd intermittently pelted stones at the police for about four hours.

Two dozen policemen, including the city SP, Sadar SDPO, and the station house officer, were injured. To control the situation, the police resorted to lathi charge and fired seven rounds of tear gas.

The DIG, District Magistrate, and SSP arrived at the scene and took charge. Police have detained 34 people and are identifying the stone-pelters based on footage.

Katihar: Stone pelting at the collectorate gate, Magistrate CO injured

A student protest near the Collectorate in Katihar suddenly turned violent. Police had to resort to a lathi charge to control the situation after stone-pelting broke out during the peaceful protest.

During this, Sadar CO Sonu Kumar Bhagat, who was posted as magistrate, was hit in the eye by a stone. The stone broke his glasses and hit his eye, injuring him.

After first aid, they were referred to a higher centre for better treatment. The administration closed both gates of the Collectorate to control the protesters.

Begusarai: Policeman, journalist and SDO injured in stone pelting

In Begusarai, a protest march by student organisations escalated into a violent clash near the Collectorate. A five-member delegation submitted a memorandum to officials and announced the end of the protest.

After this, some youths in the crowd tried to damage the display board of the Collectorate and threw bottles in the premises.

Police used force to disperse the crowd. Several policemen, two journalists, and the Sadar Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDO) were injured in the stone-pelting, while three students were reportedly injured in the police action. Three people have been detained.

Munger: Students stage violent protest, throw water bottle at SP

A large number of students took to the streets in Munger to protest the NEET paper leak and the lathicharge on students in Delhi. The march, which began from RD & DJ College, reached the Collectorate, where students staged a sit-in and demanded the resignation of the Education Minister.

During this, a water bottle was thrown towards SP Syed Imran Masood by the crowd, although it did not hit him.

Government billboards were also damaged at some locations during the march. Police monitored the situation and urged students to protest peacefully.

Muzaffarpur: 64 magistrates and over 400 policemen deployed

In view of the increasing protests in many cities against the NEET paper leak, the administration has issued a high alert in Muzaffarpur.

Following the joint order of the DM and SSP, 64 magistrates and more than 400 police officers and personnel have been deployed from the city to the rural areas.

The Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDO) and Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDPO) have been assigned the responsibility of law and order. The control room is monitoring every moment of the situation. Security has also been increased at railway stations, major intersections, and the National Highways.

Purnia: Students blocked NH-27 for an hour

A protest was also held in Baisi, Purnia, against the lathicharge on students in Delhi and Patna. The students staged a sit-in protest, demanding transparency in the education system, reforms to the examination system, and strict action against those responsible for the paper leak.

The protesters also demanded the resignation of the Union Education Minister. During this time, NH-27 was blocked at Baisi Purba Chowk for about an hour.

The protest, which lasted for about two hours, ended peacefully. The administration deployed adequate police forces to manage traffic and maintain law and order.

Mahua: Students burnt the effigy of the Central Government

AISF workers demonstrated in Mahua, Vaishali, against the lathicharge on agitating students at Jantar Mantar in Delhi and Patna. The protest march that started from Gandhi Chowk reached back to Gandhi Chowk via Purani Bazaar and Police Station, where a meeting was held.

The protesters burnt an effigy of the Central Government and demanded a ban on incidents of paper leaks. Student leaders alleged that instead of cracking down on the protesting youth, the government should improve the examination system. The protesters warned that if their demands were not met, they would intensify their protests.

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Jehanabad: Bullets were fired... stones were pelted and stampede broke out

In Jehanabad, student protests against the NEET paper leak suddenly turned violent. The protesters marched towards the District Magistrate's residence, where police tried to stop them. Stone-pelting then began, and police resorted to lathi-charge and firing in the air to control the situation.

Chaos ensued for a while. After leaving the DM's residence, the protesters blocked roads at Arwal and Hospital. The atmosphere in the city remained tense until late in the evening, and police remained deployed.

Stones and sticks in Bihar; now questions are raised about the examination system

Students' anger against the NEET paper leak spilt onto the streets in several districts of Bihar. Situations escalated during protests in Patna, Darbhanga, Begusarai, Katihar, Munger, and Jehanabad, while protests remained peaceful in Purnia and Mahua.

There were clashes between police and protesters at many places, so the administration in Muzaffarpur issued a high alert as a precautionary measure.

The main demands of the students are fair investigation of the paper leak, action against the culprits and transparency in the examination system.

This anger visible on the streets of Bihar is not just an issue of an examination, but is becoming a big question related to the future and trust of millions of students.